An A400M for Cathy Ashton. The EU gets an “Air Force ONE”

(BRUSSELS2) Cathy Ashton, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs of the EU, and José-Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, could take over one of the A400M planes not ordered by the United Kingdom. A feasibility study has been launched, the 1st of April, at the General Secretariat of the Commission.

The plane could be laid out in a modular way to carry both EU officials and cargo. As one of Cathy Ashton's relatives explains, " the advantage is that it allows us to land directly near the place of visit and thus save long travel or transfer times. » As for the cost of buying "the operation is profitable in the long term when you add up all the aircraft rentals or charters" explains a financial expert from the General Secretariat of the Commission.

This aircraft would, in fact, be the first element of the rapid reaction force in terms of civil security which would be put in place next year. It will also be used for conveying humanitarian aid from ECHO (the European Humanitarian Aid Office) or for civil or military operations of the PeSDC. It could be made available, where appropriate, either to international organizations or to Member States (on hire). He would be based at Melsbroek, the Belgian military airport near Brussels. A hangar would be refitted in this sense, to accommodate the European aircraft.

But the European Air Force One will not fly before... 2013.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

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